British Foreign Minister to Meet Narendra Modi

The British Minister of State for Foreign Office Hugo Swire, alongwith a high-level trade delegation is scheduled to visit Gujarat

The British Minister of State for Foreign Office Hugo Swire, alongwith a high-level trade delegation is scheduled to visit Gujarat today, a move viewed as strengthening of re-engagement with the state after a decade-long boycott by Britain post 2002 riots.

Swire is likely to be accompanied by a large business delegation, including a team from UK's oil and gas major BG Group, which has business interest in Gujarat.

The British Minister is scheduled to meet Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and explore possibilities of cooperation and tie-ups in various sectors.

Ending a 10-year boycott of Narendra Modi, imposed after the 2002 riots, the UK in October last year had announced to resume engagement with Gujarat.

Marking the end of boycott, British High Commissioner James Bevan had visited Gandhinagar in October last year and had discussed a range of issues including trade and commerce with the Gujarat CM.

The BG delegation is likely to be headed by the group's Executive Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Central and South Asia, Sami Iskander, official sources said.

During the visit, BG Group is likely to 'firm up' the long term gas supply agreement signed with Gujarat government owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) in September, 2011.

Iskander, is likely to sign an agreement with GSPC tomorrow, to firm up the Heads of Agreement (HoA) for long term gas supply to the state.